Readers of this blog are often interested to know when events will be available so that they may participate and invite others. Thanks to the generosity of First Church of Christ, Scientist in Jenkintown, PA, USA, this Thursday, February 23rd, at noon, I will present a webinar entitled, "Christian Science, What it is and How it heals" - a one hour presentation with open QA.

Every webinar takes on the flavor of the unique audience that gathers. Thursday's webinar has updated content and visuals, and will provide ample time for responding to questions from participants.

Hope to see you there! Feel free to share the invitation. This webinar responds to public questions about Christian Science practice.

Have you ever prayed and prayed about something but nothing seemed to change? I did. For two years. Then suddenly a breakthrough came – and on a day I didn’t even pray about it. I was so annoyed! What had happened? Why all that prayer for all that time? And why did things suddenly change that day? I was missing the cause /effect link I often find in prayer-based healing. Sometime later I learned what had happened.

I had been chasing the donkeys.

What’s that, you ask? Well, the Bible tells the story of Saul, sent by his father to go with a servant and look for some lost donkeys (see I Samuel, chapter 9). They searched in Ephraim (Heb. “fruitful”), then checked in the land of Shalim (Heb. “foxes”). They looked all over the land of Benjamin (Heb. “son of the right hand”) and after that tried Zuph (Heb. “honeycomb”).

Then Saul decided it was time to head back. Gone so long, he thought their families at home might be worried. But his companion suggested that while in Zuph they might pass by the house of the prophet Samuel, so they did. What Saul didn’t realize is that the day before, God told Samuel that Saul should be the new ruler of Israel (see I Samuel, chapter 8). The prophet reassured him that the donkeys were safe - already found - and then he anointed Saul for his new mission.

To me, chasing the donkeys means more than searching for something – be it better health, a good relationship, or actual donkeys. Prayer that opens one wholeheartedly to the power of divine Love is never offered in vain. The journey of prayer can sometimes be as important as what we conceive as the outcome that we hope for. Fidelity, discipline, commitment, focus, perspicacity and persistence in prayer prepare us to receive more good in our lives.

In my case, the character development and spiritual growth that came out of those two years of prayer were worth more in the long run than the simple solution I sought. For two years I was chasing the donkeys; but the spiritual discoveries made along the way have since outlasted the healing moment and formed a strong platform for my healing practice.

The Psalmist sang,"The steps of a good man are led by the Lord. And He is happy in his way," (37:7) a sentiment reflected in the following words of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy: “When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, 254) "If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy." (ibid 21:9)

Do we each have a predetermined, yet undisclosed, human destiny? Or are we the masters of our own fate? Either believing that events in human life are “written in the stars” or that the divine will for us may include instability or disruption of good can lead to passive acceptance when faced with difficulty. On the other hand, thinking we are self-made and self-determined may produce swings from optimism and motivation to fear of falling short of the wherewithal to meet our needs.

Neither a belief in a mixed-bag destiny nor human self-determination truly hits the mark. But what about a spiritual view of life, based on an understanding of God that can enable anyone to perceive and fulfill his or her best potential?

I have been away from the blog for awhile, but busy, busy, busy lecturing. This 28-minute radio interview aired Sunday morning January 19, 2017 in Green Valley, Arizona and the surrounding area. The community response was wonderful, culminating in a full-house lecture that afternoon. Feel free to have a listen and to share. Also, find a video of the lecture on the website of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Green Valley.

I have practiced Christian Science professionally insome form since 1979.But my journey withChristian Science startedin a Sunday schoolwhere as a young childI was taught the Scriptures and some simple basicsof Jesus' method ofscientific Christian healing.A significant experienceat the age of twelveopened my eyes tothe great potentialof this practice. After impaling my footon a nail,I prayed the way I had learnedin Sunday school.Within momentsthe pain stoppedand healing began.By the next morning the wound had disappeared completely.Having experiencedthe great potential​of Christian Science,there would be noturning back.